Malaria in Ethiopia

Question 1

Environmental Causes

Answer 1

Warm humid climate - 21-28 degrees
Rain - monsoon season is June-Sept - cases peak just after
Lowlands - temps stay above 20 degrees in the West

Question 2

Human Causes

Answer 2

urbanisation - more cases in cities as population density is greater, limited drainage and more dumps which become mosquito breeding grounds
irrigation schemes - more stagnant water in low lying agricultural areas - more mosquitoes breeding
Seasonal migration - people move to lowlands for harvest time which is often during rainy season
Misuse of drugs - overuse of certain anti-malarials has caused drug resistance
Rice cultivation

Question 3

Incidence and Patterns of Malaria

Answer 3

3 mil cases per year. Mostly in the Western Lowlands, some in hot arid East. Very few/none in central highlands.
Major epidemics every 5-8 years
Deaths have reduced from 70,000 a year to 8,000 a year

Question 4

social impacts

Answer 4

8000 deaths per year. Harvest and agricultural production disrupted. Highland areas have been overexploited causing land degradation. Under exploitation of lowlands - resource rich. Increases inequalities. decreases schooling by 0.3-0-6 years

Question 5

Economic Impacts

Answer 5

Costs $200 mil/yr to Ethiopia directly - costs $16 per household
Causes absenteeism - loss of income - poverty cycle
40% of national health expenditure on Malaria
Growth Penalty of 1.3% per year

Question 6

Direct Mitigation

Answer 6

Govt - spraying dwellings with insecticides and managing stagnant water in part of 5 year plan started in 2011
International - World Bank and WHO supported the 5YP. President’s Malaria Initiative - provided mosquito nets, insecticide and malaria medicines, malaria vaccine to help under 5s

Question 7

Indirect Mitigation

Answer 7

Govt - mass publicity campaigns, early diagnosis -
International - WHO have helped to provide data for govt, Global Fund given over $280 mil to help reduce and eradicate malaria